High Winds and Travel Advisory Issued for Southwest New Mexico
Expect Strong Winds, Snow, and Blowing Dust
DEMING - The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) will be monitoring roadway conditions with local law enforcement over the next several days. If you must travel, we recommend you monitor local forecast conditions prior to starting your trip and visit our web site as roadway conditions may change quickly throughout New Mexico.
Roadway advisories will be posted on www.nmroads.com , or by calling 511. If you are approaching a dust storm or caught in a dust storm, please follow the guidelines below to help you stay safe.
On Thursday, February 1, 2024, High wind advisories were issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) (impacts attached from NWS with Press Release).
On Friday, February 2, 2024, the NWS is forecasting very strong winds from 20 to 30 mph and 3-5 inches of snow in the mountain areas.
On Saturday, February 3, 2024, the wind gusts are expected to increase to 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. The I-10 corridor could see low visibilities from blowing dust and mountain snow could create slick roadways.
The NMDOT would like to remind the traveling public, blowing dust can escalate to blinding dust storms as they move quickly through remote areas.
Avoid driving into or through a dust storm.
Do not wait until poor visibility makes it difficult to safely pull off the roadway — do it as soon as possible. Completely exit the highway if you can.
If you encounter a dust storm, check traffic immediately around your vehicle (front, back and to the side) and begin slowing down.
Do not stop in the roadway; pull completely out of the travel lanes and as far onto the right shoulder as possible.
Stop the vehicle in a position ensuring it is a safe distance from the main roadway and away from where other vehicles may travel.
Turn off all vehicle lights, including your emergency flashers.
Set your emergency brake and take your foot off the brake.
Stay in the vehicle with your seat belts buckled and wait for the storm to pass.
Drivers of high-profile vehicles should be especially aware of changing weather conditions and travel at reduced speeds.
Grant County Commission holds work session 010924, part 4
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 30 January 2024 30 January 2024
[Editor's Note: This is part 4 of the Grant County Commission work session on Jan. 9, 2024. This begins the county director reports.]
By Mary Alice Murphy
County director reports continued at the Jan. 9, 2024 Grant County Commission work session.
The next report came from Emergency Manager Scot Fuller.
"Most of our current and future projects haven't changed that much, so I'll give some updates on them," Fuller began. "I got tired of waiting on the IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert and Warning System) designation, so I called FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Administration) up on Friday and expressed my displeasure with their process, so hopefully by the end of the week, we should have access to get us started. On the Hazard Mitigation Plan, which you approved funding for last meeting, I will be getting with procurement to get an RFP out to get a contractor on hand to start the process."
Santa Clara gets update on projects
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 30 January 2024 30 January 2024
Santa Clara gets update on projects
By Lynn Janes
The Village of Santa Clara held a meeting January 11, 2024. Newly elected Mayor Arnold Lopez called the meeting to order. Mayor Pro Tem Albert Esparza trustees, Olga Amador, Peter Erickson, and newly elected Ralph Trujillo attended.
Mayor's report
Lopez said this would be his first meeting and would be a little nervous. He had attended the training in Santa Fe for the Municipal League newly elected officials. He had learned a lot and it would be very useful. The road construction had been going well and he wanted to get down there and introduce himself. He welcomed Trujillo to the council.
New Business
Silver City gets major funding for Vista De Plata
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 30 January 2024 30 January 2024
By Lynn Janes
The Silver City Town Council held a regular meeting January 9, 2024. Attendance to the meeting included Mayor Ken Ladner, council members included Nicholas Prince, Guadalupe Cano, Rudy Bencomo, and newly elected Stan Snider (phone). Snider did not attend in person due to being at a special meeting in Santa Fe for newly elected officials.
Council comments
Bencomo welcomed Snider and said he would do what he could to make him comfortable.
Deer killed by vehicle in Grant County during 2023
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 30 January 2024 30 January 2024
By Roger Lanse
Grant County law enforcement agencies, through blotter reports, record that 140 deer were struck and killed by vehicles on county and city thoroughfares during the calendar year 2023. These blotter reports originate from calls to the Grant County Regional Dispatch Authority and subsequently investigated by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Silver City Police Department, Bayard Police Department, Hurley Police Department, or Santa Clara Police Department. Totals by month, and an annual total, follow:
Grant County Commission holds work session 010924, part 3
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 29 January 2024 29 January 2024
[Editor's Note: This is part 3 of the Grant County Commission work session on Jan. 9, 2024. This begins the county director reports.]
By Mary Alice Murphy
At the Grant County Commission Jan. 9, 2024 work session, Grant County Airport Manager Rebekah Wenger gave the first report.
"I guess I'l start with our storm yesterday," Wenger said. "We were iced over and closed from 7:30 p.m. the evening before to about 1:30 yesterday afternoon. This caused several delays, and I know there is concern about the air ambulance. There is no way we could have landed a plane until the runway was clear. We do not have de-icing equipment, and bringing in the Road Department is not viable as the FAA bans it. We must have permission for the de-icing chemicals we use. So, Carlos and I have been talking about a platform where we could get enough chemicals and store them to be able to have a helicopter land and an air ambulance come in. That's something we're working on."